This Week From The Ranch – My Prayer Closet

Starting next week!  A new series to give you a fresh perspective on life called, “Romans: Lessons In Renewing Your Mind!”  INVITE YOUR FRIENDS to study along with you!  Just forward this message to them and encourage them to sign up at the link at the bottom.  It’s free, it’s inspiring, and the words from the book of Romans can change your life–I know, because they’ve changed mine!  In the mean time, I’d like to share with you a message from my wife called, “My Prayer Closet.”  I pray it will encourage you to find a place to spend time alone with God.  Eric 

 

My Prayer Closet

By Lana Elder
The Ranch
 

It’s not easy to find a quiet place in our house with all of our kids. But I’m always encouraged when I think of Susanna Wesley who had 19 children. When she needed time with God she would sit in a chair and throw her apron over her head. Her children knew not to disturb her during her prayer time.

 

We’re told that she seldom spent less than an hour each day in prayer. Her sons John and Charles Wesley founded the Methodist church and wrote many of the hymns that are sung throughout the world. John, her fifteenth child, said this about his mother:

 

“I learned more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians in England.”

 

What an encouragement to any of us who think we are too busy to find time to pray!

 

I don’t know if it would work for me to put an apron over my head. I don’t even own an apron. But I do believe each of us should have a special place where we can go and meet with God.

 

I’d like to encourage you to find a place where you can go and spend time with God uninterrupted from the distractions of this world.

 

One of the best things about God is that He is always with us…wherever we are. So you can meet with God anywhere – in a closet, in your room, or in a special chair.

 

Let’s take a look at a few of the places where people in the Bible met regularly with God.

 

The book of Daniel records in Daniel chapter 6, verse 10:

 

“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”

 

Moses made it a habit of meeting with God, too. In Exodus chapter 33, verse 7, it says:

 

“Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the ‘tent of meeting.’ Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.”

 

Both of these Godly men made it a habit to pray daily to God and they both had a special place where they felt most comfortable meeting with God. Daniel’s place was his room. For Moses, it was a tent.

 

You may have a special place where you sense God’s presence. It may be a beautiful park or a quiet spot along a creek. The beauty of His creation is an easy place to recognize the reality of God and feel His presence. Usually though, we are so desperate for God that we don’t have the time or the money to go to those places. Or maybe the weather keeps you from taking that walk with God that you wish you could take. For me, I need Him everyday! So I need to have a place where I can go and meet with Him daily.

 

Jesus set an example for us as he often retreated to a solitary place to pray. The first chapter in the Gospel of Mark tells us that just after he called the first disciples and healed many people He got up very early in the morning and went to a solitary place to pray.

 

Mark chapter 1, verses 35 says:

 

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

 

Matthew chapter 14, verse 23 records another example just after Jesus fed 5,000 people and dismissed the crowd:

 

“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.”

 

Now I know that if the Son of God Himself needed to spend time with His Father in a solitary place, I do, too.

 

Not only did Jesus make it a habit to pray in a solitary place, but He also taught us in His Sermon on the Mount of Olives that praying in private is a good habit for us as well. He says in Matthew chapter 6, verse 6:

 

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

 

Wow! Jesus even tells us to go into our room, close the door and pray to God. I remember one time hearing someone talk about going to their prayer closet. When I first heard them talk about it, I wasn’t sure if they were really talking about going into a closet to pray or if they were just saying that as a figure of speech. Most of the time we hear people talking about bringing something out of the closet, like a hidden sin, but not going into a closet. But I was desperate for a quiet place where I could focus on God, so I decided to try it for myself. I’ve found it to be immeasurably helpful in the time I spend with God.

 

My prayer closet really is just a closet! We homeschool our kids and my husband works at home, so there’s not much extra space in the house. So first, I had to clean out a section of a closet.  I’ve put a chair and box of tissues in there, along with a paper and a pencil to write down what God is speaking to me. Each day I bring in my Bible and my devotional. When I want to worship, I also bring in some worship music.

 

My goal is to make the place I meet with God free from distractions and as comfortable as possible so I can focus on Him.

 

I was telling Eric the other day that one of my favorite times of the week is on Sunday mornings during worship. I love being totally focused on worshipping Him! At home in my prayer closet, I can do the same thing. I love to listen to worship music. When I’m in my closet and put on my favorite worship songs, I’m there – in His presence – worshipping Him.

 

Probably my favorite aspect of being in my closet is the freedom I feel to just be myself. I have the freedom to raise my hands and dance (although it’s a small closet). I can cry when I’m overcome with my own sinfulness or I can cry out of complete gratitude for all He’s done for me, without embarrassment that my nose is running and I look like a mess. (That is why I have a box of tissues nearby.) I’m totally free – I have total freedom to make a fool of myself.

 

I have also noticed that when I pray silently to God my thoughts can be easily distracted. But when I pray out loud, my thoughts and prayers stay more focused. So in my closet, I can pray out loud and not worry about anyone hearing me. The clothes and walls muffle the sound! My prayer is that someday I’ll be as bold outside my closet as I am inside it during my worship and prayer time.

 

It has been such a blessing in my prayer and quiet time to have a place to go to. I come out of the closet and I feel great! I feel refreshed and ready to take on the responsibilities of my day. Your prayer closet can be a great place to really feel connected to God, free from distractions and free to be the child of His that you are.

 

I’d like to encourage you to find a place where you can go and spend some time with Him. After trying it for a few days, I hope you’ll find yourself running to your prayer closet each day like I do, wanting to spend more time with your Daddy! He loves you. He created you. And He’ll love it as much as you do.

 

I’d like to close with a word of prayer.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me this opportunity to let others know what a difference it has made in my life to have that special meeting place with You. I pray that everyone who hears this message would also find a place where they can go and meet with You, whether it’s a closet, a tent, a bathroom or a special chair. Help them to meet with you each day.  In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

 

And amen.  Until later…   Always remember that Jesus died for us because He loves us!

 

In His love,
Teresa Marie

Lessons In Leadership From Netanyahu

Lessons in Leadership from Netanyahu

Share: May 26, 2011 It was a whirlwind weekend in Washington. At the annual meeting of the pro-Israel lobbying and advocacy group AIPAC, which took place in the nation’s capital, President Obama took the podium last Sunday morning to clarify key points of his policy on Israel. The crowd of 10,000 AIPAC delegates included both grassroots pro-Israel activists and high-level public officials and decision makers. On Monday night, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who was in town to meet with the president, also visited AIPAC to deliver a much-anticipated speech. It was a strong and inspiring message, and very well received, but only a prelude to Tuesday morning, when the Prime Minister spoke before a joint session of Congress. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister dug deeper into the details of his vision for a peaceful and secure Israel living side-by-side with a Palestinian state as a neighbor. At the outset, he was firm about one thing: The fundamental problem between Israel and the Palestinians is not the fact that there is no Palestinian state it is the continued rejection by Palestinians of a Jewish state. He addressed Palestinian president Abbas personally: “It’s time for President Abbas to stand before his people and say, ‘I will accept a Jewish state.’ Those six words will change history … And those six words will convince the people of Israel that they have a true partner for peace.” Mr. Netanyahu also clarified to the world Israel’s positions on key issues. Jerusalem, he said, “must never again be divided. Jerusalem must remain the united capital of Israel.” Israel will not compromise on key security issues, insisting that any future Palestinian state must be fully demilitarized, and that Israel will maintain a military presence in key areas, including along the Jordan River. He insisted, as he had Monday night at AIPAC, that “Israel will not return to the indefensible boundaries of 1967.” And he was unequivocal in his rejection of Hamas: “Israel is prepared to sit down today and negotiate peace with the Palestinian Authority… But Israel will not negotiate with a Palestinian government backed by the Palestinian version of al Qaida.” It was a historic speech. But one of the most striking moments was unplanned. At the very beginning, the PM was interrupted by the shouts of an anti-Israel protester who had made her way into the gallery. Unflappable, he paused and took a sip of water as the heckler was removed. Finally, when the incident died down, he told members of Congress, “You know, I take it as a badge of honor, and so should you, that in our free societies you can have protests. You can’t have these protests in the farcical parliaments in Tehran or in Tripoli. This is real democracy.” Prime Minister Netanyahu knows what democracy looks like. And, in both his public appearances in Washington, the prime minister also showed us what real leadership looks like, both by his willingness to compromise to make peace with his neighbors and his ability to stand firm on matters deeply rooted in principle. His speech brought to mind the words of the United States’ third president, Thomas Jefferson: “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” I am grateful to have a leader in the Holy Land who stands so strongly for Israel. May we all follow his lead. I strongly urge you to read the text of the Prime Minister’s speech to congress, or, even better, watch it online – and see what real leadership looks like. With prayers for shalom, peace, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein President

 

Two things for you to remember:
Jesus was a Jew.
Jesus died for us all, Jew and Gentile, because He loves us!

Humbly yours,
Teresa Marie

My Friday Thoughts – WWII Veterans

  

I am sick today so I will be doing this short post and I have an update from IFCJ that I will put on here for you but that will be all.  Please say a prayer for me.  I don’t know if it is a virus, infection or MS but I am miserable and my head hurts so bad I can hardly stand it.

My father is a veteran of WWII and my next elder brother sent this to me last night.  Please take a moment to click on this link and watch the video.  It will only take 2 short minutes of your time to honor the men and women who served our nation during this war.

A grateful salute to our dwindling WWII veterans.They are trying to get 50,000 views before Memorial Day.  Kindly forward so more can view it.
You need to view the whole thing to be counted, it’s only 2 min long.
http://media.causes.com/1060527?p_id=175378540

Thank you!  And always remember that Jesus died for us because He loves us!

 

Peace be with you,
Teresa Marie

The Newest Devotion Forwarded From My Daughter

He’s Still the King

God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne (Psalm 47:8).

Scripture: Psalm 47:5-9
Song: “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee“

Whether or not we voted for the current leaders in office, we hope they will do the best for our country. Sometimes it doesn’t work out that way, or at least in our view. We debate, complain, or write letters to our congressmen when we approve or disapprove of a bill on the House floor.

Other nations make their laws under different rules. Some suffer under dictators. These tyrants often lead their people into ruin for the sake of their own greed. Then we despair this world will never recover from the wrongs we inflict upon ourselves.

A friend reminded me recently that even with politicians and governments that are far from God, and act accordingly, God is still in charge. I find that difficult to grasp, but it makes me want to pray all the more for our officials and for God to rule in their decisions.

God knows. God reigns. Current situations may disturb us, but ultimately God will prevail. He can use even evil men and women to accomplish His long-term goals, goals that we can’t see when we’re so bogged down in the here and now.

So . . . lift up your heads. God reigns.

Lord God, sometimes I wonder if You’re really at work in this world. I’m great at worrying about national and international government, and not so great at acknowledging Your supremacy. Give me the long view, or at least a trust that You do reign over this world. May Your kingdom come! In the name of Jesus, amen.

This devotion is from the book, 365 Devotions, brought to you by Standard Publishing.  Buy 365 Devotions and other great resources at www.standardpub.com.

Amen and amen.  Always remember that Jesus died for us because He loves us!

With all due homage to our King,
Teresa Marie

My Thursday Thoughts – We Are Still Here

By God’s grace and blessings we made it through the storms that rocked our area of Indiana yesterday.  (No, this is not a picture of our house, I just thought it was a good representation of how He covered us.)

I had Mark wake me up early yesterday for several reasons.  First of all, mom’s surgery was at 7:30.  She came through it well and without any problems.  I had faith that she would.  She is very healthy and runs circles around me.  Thank you to everyone who prayed for her, our prayers worked!

Second, I knew that the storms were suppose to start early in the day and I had errands to run sometime in between the 3 storm fronts that were predicted.  At about 8:30, I saw that the sky looked favorable for me to get my stuff done and back home before it got here.  I left and: got gas, went to the grocery store, went to pick up Mark’s prescription and then I was going to stop at his mom and dad’s on my way home.

As I left the pharmacy, I noticed the sky was beginning to look pretty ominous.  I was about half way to his parent’s when it started to sprinkle so I decided to forgo that visit and get home.  A third of the way, it began to rain harder but not too bad.  Two-thirds of the way, it let loose on me.  The wind was blowing my little Saturn sideways a bit, the rain was coming down so hard that I couldn’t see where I was going but I couldn’t see well enough to find a place to pull over either.  We live in the country and the County Road that I was on is a fairly well-traveled one.  I could not find the flashers on the car.  Since we’ve only had it for a week, I haven’t looked for them.  I was driving 25 mph but wasn’t too worried about anybody running into me, they couldn’t see any better than I could.  When I got to the State Road we live on, the hail was hitting my car with such force that I feared it would crack my windshield.  And, of course, when there is hail there usually is a tornado. 

I was, without any doubt, praying the whole way!  I said, “Lord, please don’t let me go like this!  I just want to get home!!”  It isn’t that I am afraid to die, I just don’t want to do it in a tornado, fire or wreck.  When I made it three-fourths’ of the way, there was the largest bolt of lightning that I have ever seen that cracked loudly as it hit the ground.  I prayed, “Oh dear Lord, please tell me that didn’t hit our house or trees!”  I felt an instant calm and knew that it did not.

The rain had lightened up when I pulled into our driveway and surveyed the area for damage.  More small limbs scattered the property but none of the type that we had the other day.  I thanked and praised Him for all His care.  I sat in the car for a few more minutes before I got out.  I could see from the sky that the brunt of this storm had moved through.  When it was down to a drizzle, I got out, grabbed the groceries that would spoil and got inside as quickly as I could because it looked like another front was right behind this one but it passed by.

My son was the first to call.  Within a few minutes of my arrival, my phone rang.  Nervously he asked, “Did that lightning hit your house?”  I said that it did not.  Then he exclaimed, “Mom, that was the biggest bolt I’ve ever seen!  It looked like it came right down on your house!!”  He lives on the top floor of an apt. complex about 7 miles from me.  I replied that I had thought it did too and told him about my little trip to town and back.  I said, “God protected me once again!  It was a little scary but I knew He would.”

My eldest daughter was the second to call.  She lives in a small town about 15 miles east of me.  She too had seen the storm was moving right through our area.  We praised and thanked God again! 

The rest of the storms came and went all through the evening and nighttime hours.  Poor Mark couldn’t go to bed on time because there were tornado warnings issued all around us but, thank You Lord, the ones that touched down were not in our vicinity.  So far, it looks like there will not be any danger for today.  Thank you to everyone who prayed for our safety!  Until later…

Always remember that Jesus died for us because He loves us!

With a grateful, humble heart,
Teresa Marie

My Wednesday Thoughts – The Family I Love

 

Good Morning to you all, I hope and pray that everyone survived the deadly storms of yesterday.  Today I am asking for you prayers once again on behalf of myself and the family that I love so dearly.

Yesterday, a tornado touched down approximately 35 miles north of our house.  More dangerous weather is headed our way today.  I don’t worry about it too much because I trust our Lord and angels to protect us, as they did a couple of days ago, but I would much rather it come when Mark is home with me.  Beings that I will be here alone, it does make me a little more nervous.  Please say a prayer for me.

My 80-year-old mother is having double knee replacement surgery beginning in 5 minutes.  She is in good health and I don’t expect any problems but I do ask that you say a prayer for her and her recovery.

My daughter is doing as well as can be expected.  She and her husband have finally talked in-depth about what she has decided to do.  He is, of course, now desperate to save his family.  She told him that her plans are to file for separation immediately; he has to move out; get help to overcome his alcoholism;  prove to her that he loves her and the children enough to change his ways; if he does all of that, she will consider reconciliation.  She loves her husband and doesn’t want to divorce him. Please continue to pray for her.

I don’t know what is going on with my husband but I do know that something is making him unhappy.  I don’t believe that it is me, we deeply love each other, but I there is something happening with the new job that is causing him displeasure.  Also, he is suffering physically.  I don’t know if he is in the first stage of arthritis or what but he is in a lot pain.  It makes me very sad to see him like this.  We both had such hope for this new job being the one he will have for the rest of his life to enjoy.  So please pray for him as well.

Finally, I need prayer myself.  I have been suffering problems on and off with my knee as well.  Of late it has been becoming an everyday thing.  I don’t think that I can go on much longer without going to a specialist.  I have been trying to hold off to see how mom does with this surgery and what she thinks about the doctor that is doing it.  If she is happy with him, that is who I will go to but that will just add more expense to our already tightly stretched budget and I hate to put more stress on Mark about money.  He has this better paying job but, after he pays his half of the insurance benefits, he is bringing home less than he did at the other job.  I know this is probably one of the things that is bothering him. 

And those are my requests of you all today.  Thanks you for those thoughts and prayers.  Until later…

Always remember that Jesus died for us because He loves us!

Humbly yours,
Teresa Marie

When We Chose To Follow

When we chose to follow
the Angel of Light in sin
the reward for us was hollow
and no prize did we win

No victory for us was won
by the decision made to rebel
against the Father and the Son
but instead were cast to hell

‘Twas the greatest of our mistake
to have entered in the temptation
for damnation came in the wake
and brought upon us such devastation

That for eternity we’re to be
mired down here in the pit
for we were too blind to see
where our leader was gonna sit

‘Cause, yes he has a throne
but not of which he desire
and with him we were thrown
into this damned lake of fire!

Teresa Marie  5/24/11

Voice Of The Martyrs – Violence Intensifies in Colombia

I received this update today.  It is upsetting to me to hear of the suffering of Christians in other countries and I am compelled to share it with you.  With these persecutions, wars, natural disasters, economic crisis, etc., it is strongly indicating to me the imminent return of our Lord.  I’m not going around screaming, “The end of the world is tomorrow!”  But I do truly believe that we are well into the final phase of this world order that is controlled by the enemy.  It saddens me greatly that the pain and sorrow that is being experienced around the world is only a taste of what is to come and yet, at the same time, it makes me anxious to receive a full measure of what I had a glimpse of 6 years ago, heaven and the glory of God.

For those of you who have visited from these type of countries where you are not free, as we are, to worship our Lord and Savior in the open, I am truly, deeply sorry for you.  Just remember this, He is in your heart and soul forever.  They can never take that from you!  He sees what you are going through for Him and you will receive your crown of glory in His eternal Kingdom; hold fast to His promises for they are your reality!  My love and support is with you all and I will continue to spread the message of you plight. 

Teresa Marie

Voice of the Martyrs

 

COLOMBIA — Violence Intensifies in Colombia

VOM workers are on high alert as violence continues to increase in Colombia. On the morning of May 12, a bomb exploded in Puerto Lleras, killing several policemen and injuring bystanders. In addition, FARC guerrillas have openly murdered individuals on town streets and burned buses throughout the region. The guerrillas have reportedly been conducting an internal purge, killing many of their own and accusing them of being traitors to the communist cause. VOM contacts believe some of those killed were secret Christians.

“In all our years in Colombia, we have never seen it this unstable,” said a VOM contact. “Yet we believe that this is also the most opportune time that we have ever seen for the gospel.” The contact said he cannot come close to supplying all the Bibles being requested by those turning to the Lord. Pray for Christian workers in Colombia as they struggle to sustain their various ministry efforts amid the increasing violence. Pray that many within the communist movement will turn to Christ. 

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My Tuesday Thoughts – God’s Word

Image via Wikipedia

 

God’s Word is an enemy for depression, an escape from temptation, the promise of the future, as well as a guide, hope and inspiration for now and always.

Al and Brenda Taylor

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This was on my Today’s Thought e-mail.  When I read it I thought that it was so very, very true.  We are often too busy with our daily lives, worries, thoughts, fears and pains to remember that God’s Word is sitting, sometimes right at our side, unaccessed.

I am just as guilty as anybody else of this neglect.  However, my quickest response to any given situation is not necessarily the wrong one, I just automatically pray in the Spirit.  I don’t get the Bible and read His Word for my comfort, I go to the Holy Spirit.  When I am afraid, which doesn’t happen very often anymore, I don’t need to read about how we are told to fear not because I have read it so many times when I needed to that it is now ingrained in my soul and I hear it when the Spirit whispers it in my ear.  When depression tries to encroach on me, I pray.  When I am writing something and not sure what I am trying to say, I pray.  When I am tempted to be selfish, greedy, jealous, dishonest, or any of those other sinful tendencies that we fall into, I access the One who leads me back to my true nature.  But all of these actions take a conscious effort at times.  I am just as susceptible to falling away and backsliding as anybody else.

I do believe that having this blog is a great way for me to stay on track.  To keep my mind focused on Him and not on this world, I write about Him, either with posts or poems.  Or, I often go to surf the web for Christian sites that I can get quotes, wallpaper, screen savers, and pictures from.  Doing these types of things keeps me balanced.  Don’t get me wrong, going to the Word of God is where it always should start and end.  I guess that’s why I installed a toolbar on my Explorer for “Free Bible Verse Art”.  I love going there and reading all of the different Scripture that they have with artwork.  The pictures, because I am such a visual person, seem to drive the message home.  They also have a lot of references to other Christian sites that you can check out. 

Anyway, I just thought that you all  might need this little reminder today like I did.  Relying on the Holy Spirit (which of course is Jesus and the Father as well) has become a habit for me.  What is your habit?  Until later…

Always remember that Jesus died for us because He loves us!

From my spirit and His,
Teresa Marie

God’s Grace – A New E-mail From Mom

This is a recent one from my mom – another teary response from me:

Work like you don’t need the money, love like you’ve never been hurt, and dance like you do when nobody’s watching.”

God‘s Grace
I wonder how many people will delete this without reading it because of the title. It is a shame but this message is very true. Hope you are all as blessed as I was by this story.

 
There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak….

“I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright.  I stopped the lad and asked, “What do you have there, son?”

“Just some old birds,” came the reply.

“What are you going to do with them?” I asked.

“Take ‘em home and have fun with ‘em,” he answered. “I’m gonna tease ‘em and pull out their feathers to make ‘em fight. I’m gonna have a real good time.”

“But you’ll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?”

“Oh, I got some cats,” said the little boy. “They like birds. I’ll take ‘em to them.”

The pastor was silent for a moment. “How much do you want for those birds, son?”

“Huh?? !!! Why, you don’t want them birds, mister.  They’re just plain old field birds. They don’t sing. They ain’t even pretty!”

“How much?” the pastor asked again.

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, “$10?”

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill.  He placed it in the boy’s hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.  The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot.  Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.  Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story:

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation.  Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting.  “Yes, sir, I just caught a world full of people down there.  Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn’t resist.  Got ‘em all!”

“What are you going to do with them?” Jesus asked.

Satan replied, “Oh, I’m gonna have fun! I’m gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I’m gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I’m really gonna have fun!”

“And what will you do when you are done with them?” Jesus asked.

“Oh, I’ll kill ‘em,” Satan glared proudly.

“How much do you want for them?” Jesus asked.

“Oh, you don’t want those people. They ain’t no good. Why, you’ll take them and they’ll just hate you. They’ll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don’t want those people!!”

“How much? He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, “All your blood, tears and your life.”

“Jesus said, “DONE!”  Then He paid the price.

The pastor picked up the cage and walked from the pulpit.

I pray, for everyone who sends this on, whether to their entire address book or just a few, that God will bless them in a special way.

And for those that just deleted it……… And I KNOW there will be…… ?   WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

I thank God everyday for my blessed life. I’m not rich, don’t live in a mansion and don’t have the nicest of material things, but, I’m healthy, have , a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food on my table, a family that loves me and lifelong friends to get me through. I’d say I have a lot to be thankful for.And I do as well!  That’s why I had to pass this on.  Always remember that Jesus died for us little birds because He loves us!

 

With a heart of gratitude,
Teresa Marie